Okomu National Park gives Edo a distinctive connection to nature: it is a rainforest ecosystem and was designated a protected area in 1935 from the former Okomu Forest Reserve. The designation marks the transition from the former forest reserve to a protected area. If you want to discover Edo through its landscapes, Okomu offers a clear thematic starting point. Alongside it are cultural sites that show another side of the destination. The park service describes Okomu as Nigeria’s smallest of seven national parks, placing it in a nationwide comparison.

Rainforest and activities in Okomu National Park

A 2023 brochure lists wildlife viewing, tree-house climbing, swimming, birdwatching, sport fishing, picnicking, and a wilderness experience in Okomu National Park. Other activities include canoeing on the Osse and Okomu rivers, a visit to Odighi Pond, and a walk along the elevated canopy walkway. The options appeal to different interests: canoeing is linked to two named rivers, while the walk follows an elevated path. This lets you weigh a water activity against a walk at height. Before visiting, check which of the activities listed in 2023 are currently available.

Art and history

The Benin City National Museum houses Benin art and historical antiquities from different parts of the country. Their varied places of origin give the collection a broad geographic scope. The Palace of the Oba of Benin is the Oba’s home. These sites represent distinct cultural points of interest in Edo: a museum collection and a palace that serves as a residence. Gelegele Historical Port is also listed as a visitor destination in Edo State. If you want to include it in your plans, check current visiting arrangements in advance.

Edo in the wider context of Nigeria

In the wider context, Edo is part of Nigeria, where climatic differences create a north–south gradient of varied habitats and ecosystems. Another example elsewhere in the broader destination of Nigeria is Sukur. The ancient settlement has a documented history dating back to the 16th century, encompassing iron smelting, thriving trade, and strong political institutions. Terraced fields, dry-stone buildings, and paved stone paths shape the landscape in Sukur. The Hidi of Sukur is the community’s political and spiritual leader; his palace is built of dry stone and surrounded by numerous shrines, some of them made of ceramic. Sukur offers its own perspective on the interplay of landscape, settlement history, and community in the wider Nigerian context.

What would you like to focus on when discovering Edo?

This question gives your search for hotels in Edo a thematic direction and helps you tailor your trip to your interests.

Discover more destinations: Ewu-Esan, Benin City, Taraba, Ogun, Kwara, Niger, Bauchi, Enugu.

View the broader travel overview: Nigeria.